Culture is the mentality by which societies preserve values and habits
that have proven to work and improve life over a long period of time.
These values are transmitted from one generation to the next, giving a
sense of continuity and having to avoid the mistakes of the past and
embodying knowledge that is suitable to that culture in the environment
in which it has evolved, while adapting to foreign influence.
Though cultural values are less difficult to change than religious
values, they are nonetheless difficult to change and subject to much
resistance when there is a need for such a change.
Globalization expedites rapid change where there is a need for
flexibility-- be it in the economic, social, or political structure of a
society-- the more flexible a culture is, the more able this culture is
to take advantage and adapt to and adopt inevitable change.
Time to stop the hand-wringing self-pity of relying on fate and destiny
as reasons for inaction, supplemented by the lead-pimps of the culture
encouraging such attitudes to preserve the status qua for selfish
self-enrichment.
It is easy to under-appreciate the effect of culture and its values on civil progress.
Initiating radical and productive programs, and discarding those
attitudes that are harmful to progress and stand in the way of promoting
and elevating positive values.
This problem must be attacked at the
educational level and through the use of media-- be it political,
educational or entertainment-- to cause discussions, to educate, and to
entertain and create positive images that embody the values that we seek
to instill in our society.
In plain English, this is one place where positive propaganda can have a dramatic
affect on a culture and its view of itself.
The USA and Singapore, two extremely different types of political and
cultural systems, "overdose" their citizens with "constructive
propaganda" and have managed to each Faithfully develop this art in
completely different models to a great and successful ends.
So a
government like ours that is in a developing state and has great control
over most of the media and its assets should now take advantage of the
Internet to educate and use the same resources and techniques to create
that desired and called-for positive image and values for society by
showing and reinforcing the values of community, justice, fairness, hard
work compensation, reason, innovation, etc. as the values that
Ghanaians should acquire and equip themselves with for the general good.
This transformation that a culture needs to go through is a difficult
challenge, as are the needed execution and required time frame, and
these values presented are "value neutral/dynamic sensitive"-- in that
they do not belong to any particular country or culture, but are the
positive foundation of any culture that wishes to thrive and be
competitive and accommodating. Work and Happiness!!!.
This needed
cultural transformation must be taken by all who crave progress, and our
politicians, preachers, entrepreneurs, educators, and the media all
have big roles to play, together and separately, in bringing about a
success to meet the aspirations of peaceful Ghanaian citizens for
self-empowerment and development.
Rational reason, mankind's most
elevated and distinctive feature, should guide the way, and formal and
informal educational systems should walk along in a cordial and
harmonious companionship, not as a drag or a tag.
Culture is a
cool-tool that is meant to serve mankind and not enslave mankind; to
enhance and not to stupor-entrance; to facilitate and not to debilitate.
When aspects of a culture become an impediment to progress, then these
aspects of the culture should be made flexible and modified, pronto.
Culture in magnitude as a positive attitude
Forward Ever Ghana!!!!!!!!
Ibrahim Hardi 0208235615
Email;bigkolaaya@yahoo.com
